The best aspects of this course included the communication with actual clients, the open-ended discussion format, and the exposure to new engineering concepts. Several students felt the expectations on assignments were often unclear and the absence of communication between the instructors was apparent. One suggestion included giving each team an individual project and budget. Another suggestion was to provide students with more access to resources, including lectures given by guest speakers with more relevant association. Prospective students should know this course is great preparation for what they will need to know as beginning engineers, but the learning curve is considerably steep.

The best aspects of this course included the hands on nature of the work, working in groups, and the real-world applicability of the project. Students were responsible for budgeting time, managing groups work, and got to be creative and innovative. However, many students cited the lack of direction and the disconnection of the topic from their prior classes as the worst aspects of the course. Additionally, the topic of the design project is chosen prior to class. Suggestions for improving the course included giving students a preview of the topic so they can better prepare, giving more hands on guidance during class times, and keeping the topics connected more closely to the classes students have already had. Prospective students should know that the course requires regular group work, and you may not know exactly what you are doing until the semester is through, but it is exciting and very rewarding. This course is highly recommended.

The best aspects of this course were the opportunities for students to work within smal groups to develop a project, the exposure gained by working with a professional consulting firm, and the manageable work load. Students felt that the chosen projects for the course were repetitive and group projects were identical. There was not enough time left in the semester to focus on design work and expectations were unclear. Suggestions for improvement included having the students directly interact with clients, having each student group choose and work on a separate project, and condensing the course from one year to a semester. Prospective students should take this course only if required by major and be aware that project selection is determined by the course instructors.